The story of the Dutch colony at New Amsterdam, through the eyes of the young lad Peter. Relates its settlement by the West India Company under the leadership of Peter Minuit, their transactions with the Indians including the purchase of the island of Manhattan, their overthrow of the Swedish forts to the south, and their surrender to English forces in 1664. The portrait of the contrasting figures of Peter Minuit and Peter Stuyvesant enlivens the narrative. Numerous black and white illustrations complement the text. Ages 8-10

150 pages

$9.95

A LUKEWARM WELCOME

IT was as if my heart came into my mouth when I
saw these English people, and I made no doubt
they would welcome me warmly on knowing that my
father was of the same religious faith; but they
gave little heed to my words, and because of being
received so coldly, I felt shame that I had rejoiced when
the Secretary told me where our voyage was to come
to an end.

However, we were not then at Plymouth, but nearly
twenty miles away. That the Englishmen might have
warning of our coming, word was sent ahead by one
of the savages who had journeyed with us, that a
messenger from the West India Company wished to visit
Plymouth, and would do so if the governor of the town
would send a boat to a point four or five miles from
where we then were.

All this was done as the Secretary wished, and we
walked across a neck of land, some of the people from
the trading post carrying the chests of gifts, until
coming to where a boat was in waiting.

Before another night had come we were in Plymouth;
but it was to me as if I had met entire strangers, for
[73] none gave me the hearty welcome I had been
hungering for, although my story was not doubted. I
suppose there were too many like me in this wide world,
and those who were battling against the wilderness and
the savages, as were these people, could give but little
heed to a lad who had no standing among men.

I was lodged in the fort, where were women who
did by me as best they might; but my heart was sore
because of disappointment.

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